Join actor, author, producer,Extra host and Broadway star Mario Lopez for a new fiesta celebrating his Mexican heritage. Explore a Mexican marketplace with gourmet goodies, nosh on fare from local restaurants, and sip on plenty of icy beverages. The VIP meet and greet package includes the opportunity to meet Lopez himself. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission, $20 (advance), $30 (at the gate); VIP tickets start at $100. www.cincodemario.com.

CINCO DE VIVA

May 5, Scottsdale Waterfront

Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club will host the 24th Annual Cinco de VIVA: A Valley Kids Foundation Benefit, a semi-formal fete that will provide guests with a Cinco de Mayo-themed evening featuring live music, mystery boxes filled with Kendra Scott jewelry, fiesta-inspired cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and food from more than a dozen restaurants. All proceeds will benefit children’s charities through Valley Kids Foundation. 7-11 p.m. $100.www.cincodeviva.auction-bid.org.

TALK DERBY TO ME

May 5, Sonata’s Restaurant

This third annual event, hosted by the Alyssa James Foundation and Networking360, will include a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, a photo booth, a DJ, live music, a cigar roller, Southern food, and live betting. All proceeds will go toward a selected cause (or causes) for the year. Tickets include two drink vouchers and food. This year’s event will support Camp Not-A-Wheeze and Opportunity 4 Kids. 12-5 p.m. Advance, $55; at the door, $60. www.alyssajamesfoundation.org.

PUTTS FOR MUTTS

May 6, Lookout Mountain Golf Course

The Arizona Small Dog Rescue will host its fourth annual charity golf tournament at the golf course at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. The annual tournament helps raise funds for the no-kill shelter and rescue organization and its mission to aid with the care, rehabilitation and adoption of abused, unwanted, homeless, sick or injured animals throughout the greater Phoenix area. The event will include a light breakfast, 18 holes of golf, prizes, and a silent auction and awards luncheon hosted by local comedian, actor and dog rescue advocate, Jill Kimmel. 7: 30 a.m. Single player, $110; foursome, $420. www.azsmalldog.org.

DESERT NIGHT CINEMA

May 10, Desert Botanical Garden

Enjoy silver screen hits under the desert night sky. Before the movie starts, watch live entertainment by JesterZ Improv Comedy, then kick back with food truck fare and a beverage and watch the selected film in an outdoor garden setting. This month’s theme is “Summer Dreamin’” and the film choice will be announced closer to the event date. 6:30 p.m. $10-$16. www.dbg.org.

HISTORY HALL OF FAME 25TH ANNIVERSARY

May 10, Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch

The Past Presidents’ Council of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its silver anniversary by honoring three individuals, a local company, and a nonprofit organization at this 25th annual dinner. Honorees will include Don Carson, Richard Hayslip, Randy Nussbaum, The Virginia G. Piper Trust, and the San Francisco Giants. 6-9 p.m. Individual, $90; table of 10, $900. www.scottsdalechamber.com.

HOMELESS TO HEROES

May 10, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

The National Concierge Association of Arizona (NCA-AZ) will host its ninth annual Homeless to Heroes event benefiting The Fetch Foundation, an organization that trains abandoned pets into first responders. The evening will feature light appetizers, a cash bar, a silent auction, and a Chinese Auction. Proceeds will benefit the Valley’s four-legged friends in Fetch’s Homeless to Heroes program as well as education of NCA-AZ chapter members. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5. www.ncakey.org.

PEACH FESTIVALMay 11-13, Schnepf Farms

This annual festival is celebrating 50 years of all things peachy. It will feature hay rides to the orchards, live music, train rides, carousel rides, a peachy pancake breakfast, a food sampling pavilion with peach treats ranging from sweets to salsas, water activities, and arts and crafts booths. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $5. ww.schnepffarms.com.

TALK CINEMA

May 15, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Mixing Hollywood flair with the element of surprise, Talk Cinema offers sneak previews of new independent and foreign films. Audiences arrive at the theater not knowing what will be screened and are among the first to see a new movie and then engage in a critical discussion led by film scholars and special guests. 7 p.m. $14. www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

JA GOLFER’S DREAM DAY

May 18, McCormick Ranch Golf Club

This 22nd annual event, with proceeds to benefit Junior Achievement of Arizona, will offer golfers unlimited golf throughout the day. Participants can take as many breaks as they wish, spend time with their friends, and compete in the “Horse Race” events and many other contests. For those who don’t want to golf – yet don’t want to miss the party – head to The Oasis, which will include an open bar, unlimited food, cigars, Champagne, great music and plenty of games. A reception will feature awards and prizes, where each player will receive their choice of gifts like putters and golf bags. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Golfers’ tickets start at $425; The Oasis tickets, $50-$100. www.jaaz.org.

ARIZONA SPRING RESTAURANT WEEKMay 18-27, various locations

Dig into some great dining deals during this statewide foodie affair offering a fixed-price meal for either $33 or $44 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) at select restaurants throughout the Valley and the state. Participating restaurants will include Bourbon & Bones, Chart House, Citizen Public House, Carlsbad Tavern, Fat Ox, Pasta Brioni, and Paul Martin’s American Grill, among many others. No tickets are required; however, reservations are highly recommended. www.arizonarestaurantweek.com.

AJ’S THE ART OF WINE AND TASTES OF SUMMER

May 19, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Discover new wines and enjoy great food, all while supporting the arts. Featured tastings of more than 40 wines will be complemented by gourmet specialties from AJ’s. Guests will enjoy live music and a silent auction, and AJ’s cellar masters will be on site to provide expert recommendations for wine and food pairings. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts. Advance ticket purchase is required. 2-4:30 p.m. with VIP early entry starting at 1 p.m. General admission, $35-$40; VIP, $45-$50. www.scottsdaleperfomringarts.org.

THIRVE GALA AND AWARDS DINNER

May 19, The Camby

The eighth annual Thrive Gala – presented by the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) – honors and celebrates sexual and domestic violence survivors, advocates, and allies. The evening will include a cocktail reception with a silent auction and raffle, dinner, the presentation of the state’s only awards for survivors and those working to address sexual and domestic violence, live entertainment and dancing. 6-11 p.m. $150-$250. www.acesdv.org.

PHOENIX COMIC FEST

May 24-27, Phoenix Convention Center

Phoenix Comic Fest is a convention and expo that celebrates fandom and pop culture. The event will focus on comic books, anime, sci-fi and film, and will feature comic book creators and anime voice actors, plus movie and TV actors in attendance. Guests can enjoy a variety of events including panels, workshops, a masquerade, and photo ops. Times and prices vary. www.phoenixcomicfest.com.

Created for couples who desire to grow stronger together in all areas of life, this event will include inspiring speakers, a gourmet brunch, and the opportunity for attendees to connect with other like-minded couples. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $70 per couple. www.couplesbrunch.com.